Device for raising and lowering wagon-bodi es



(No Model.)

- 8, W. P. WITHERINGTON.

, DEVICE FOR RAISING AND LOWBRING WAGON BODIES. No. 258,187. Patented May16, 1882.

:WITNESSES v ATTORNEYS *NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIS F. VVITHERINGTON, OF KENTON, TENNESSEE.

DEVICE FOR RAISING AND LOWERING WAGON-BODIES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 258,187, dated May 16, 1882.

Application filed Aprils, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, W13. WITHERINGTON, a citizen of the United States, residentatKenton,in the county of Gibson and State of Tennessee, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Raising and Lowering Wagon- Bodies; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of-the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a representation of a sectional view of a shed or wagon-house, showing my improvement therein. Fig. 2 is a detail view of the bottom of a wagon, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the crank.

Thisinvention has relation to devices whereby wagon bodies can be readily raised from the running gearing and replaced thereon; and it consists in the construction a and novel arrangement of a horizontal bar or support, a

rope or chain at one end thereof f or attachment to one end of the wagon-body, and "a rope or chain at the other end of said bar or support havingconnected toits lowerend a smallwinding-shaft.

The invention also consists in the combination, with bearings under the wagon-body, of a detachable shaft and a crank-handle pivoted thereto, forming a stop, all as hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, the letter A designates the frame-work of a wagon house or shelter; andB indicates a horizontal bar or support connected to the upper portion of the frame-work. This bar is designed, as usually employed, to be connected to one ofthe rafters or to a cross-beam, O, placed in suitable position by means of a rope or chain, 67, the pivotal pointof connection of said rope or chain with the bar B being a little forward of its center. The bar B should have sufficient strength to easily sustain the weight of the wagon-body.

Across the front end of the bar B, and over the same, extends a check-bar or hearing, E,

which is secured in position by attachment to any convenient portions of the frame of the shelter, and is arranged to engage the front end of the bar B when the latter is in horizontalposition.

A rope or chain,a, attached to the front end or shorter arm of the bar 13, is designed to be connected to the front end of the wagon-body, which is to be removed from its gear either by looping itaround said body in the manner illustrated in the drawings or by attaching branch ropes to the sides of said body. A second rope or chain, c, is fastened by one end'to the rear end or longer arm of the bar B, and is provided at its other end with a small roller shaft, g, having a crankhandle, h, which is preferably pivoted to the shaft, the pivot-bearing being transverse to the axis of the shaft, as indicated in the drawings.

Under the wagon-body H are'two journah bearings, b and 0, one of which is preferably arranged in loop form to engage the end of the winding-roller g, which may be grooved to prevent accidental disengagement when in use.

The winding-roller is designed to be easily en gaged with these bearings I) and, c and as easily detached therefrom. The bearings are located in the middle line'of the wagon-bot tom, and near the rear end thereof, one of the bearings, 0, being secured to the cross-bar or cleat, which extends across the end of the bot tom, and the other in line therewith farther under thc'bottom, and, ifnecessary, raised on a block or bar. These bearings 12 and'c can be conveniently and economically formed by staples, as shown in the drawings.

The object of this invention is to facilitate the re moval of the wagon-bed from thernnninggear and to enable said bed to be as easily replaced thereon, whether the gear on which the bed is to be placed is centrally located under the suspended bed or at a little distance therefrom, in line therewith,oroblique. As the bed is nearly balanced on the pivoted supportingbar, it can be easily turned to descend properly between the standards to the bolsters of the gear. The invention is designed to economize labor in shifting the wagon-bed, which is constantly being done, because of the varied char-- rope or chain, a, and at the other a rope or chain, c, carrying a winding-rol1er,g, and crankhandle, substantially as specified.

2. In a wagon-lifter, the combination, with 5 the bearings b and 0 at the end of the wagonbed, of the supporting-bar B, its front rope or chain,a, and its rear rope or chain, a, carrying a crank-shaft, g, adapted to engage said bearings and to be detached therefrom, substan- [o tially as specified.

3. In a wagon-lifter, the combination, with the bearings b and c at the end of the wagonbed, the supporting-bar, and the ropes a and e, of the winding roller or shaft 9 and the transversely-pivoted crank-handle h, snbstan- 15 tially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two Witnesses.

WILLIS FRANKLIN WITHERINGTON.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM FRANKLIN J ONES, THOMAS W. McORARY. 

